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How to Clean Up Flood Damage in a Home

Severe flooding has affected many homes in Texas. Homeowners are struggling with the loss and contemplating of what to do next. Flooding water has left disastrous results to homeowners making them confused on what to do concerning cleanup, safety and how to cater for the costs of flood restoration. Many manufactured homes are heavily affected by floods. Manufactured homes covered by flood waters may experience lateral displacement of floors and walls, and cracking of wall finishes. The saturation of foundation may cause the home footing to be unstable and fail. Furthermore, the flooding water may cause a home anchoring and support system to become unstable.

Where to start when cleaning flood damages

Water in your home will inevitably cause damage to your floor and anything submerged. The speed at which you act after flooding helps you minimize the damage to your property. Below is a list of places to start cleaning flood damage after the water in your home has receded:

1. Disconnect the power line and unplug and remove all electronics. Making sure there are no live wires is crucial when dealing with water damage. Make sure to have an electrician check to make sure all outlets are safe before turning them back on and plugging things into them.

2. Check for structural damage and find out if the building is safe to enter.

3. Remove the carpet and all the furniture from the floor. Dry clean the wet carpet and furniture to disinfect them to kill bacteria.

4. Get rid of the water from the home. Getting rid of flood water from your home can be done manually using buckets, towels, and mops. It can also be done electronically by using a wet vacuum cleaner. Ensure you get rid of all the water and dry up your home to prevent the growth of molds.

5. Dry out the affected area. Use a dehumidifier to dry out the mopped floors and walls in your house. Ensure all windows are opened to allow free circulation of fresh air. A dry surface accompanied with fresh air prevents molds from growing.

The primary focus for cleaning flood damages in a home should be the floor and walls. Most home items or electronics are located either on the floor or hung on the walls. Additionally, sockets and other electrical appliances are on the floor. The floor should be the first area to be cleaned when flood damage occurs.

How to prevent mold and other long term damage

Exposure to a damp environment may cause numerous health problems including the growth of molds. Molds are dangerous to your health as they can cause coughing, eye and skin irritation, wheezing and stuffiness. Preventing mold growth in your home after floods should be your number one priority. You can achieve this by controlling and maintaining the level of humidity in your home as low as possible. Ensure you fix the leaking windows, roofs, and pipes. Allow maximum ventilation to your cooking areas, shower, and laundry places to guarantee free circulation of fresh air to prevent long term damage. Utilize commercial soap and bleaching solution to remove the already developed molds.
If you’re in need of a new home, Contact Palm Harbor Homes Today and get started on the path to homeownership.